MENIFEE: Paloma High student crowned Miss Teen California Latina

Isabel Donadio, a 17-year-old student at Paloma High School in Menifee, entered the Pasadena Convention Center on Nov. 16 as a contestant and emerged Nov. 18 as Miss Teen California Latina 2012.

With 50 smiling faces gracing the stage of the Convention Center, masters of ceremony Jomari Goyoso, a fashion critic and host of âA La Moda con Jomariâ on Univision, and Maria Sanchez, a journalist and model, started the weekend event with the annual Purple Carpet kickoff on Friday.{+.}

Donadio was crowded during the Latin Connection expo event, which featured the preliminary competitions on Saturday, Nov. 17. The pageant is affiliated with the Miss Latina U.S. Pageant, which calls itself âa celebration of beauty, style and cultural appreciation, emphasizing the opportunity for personal development while serving the community.â

âBeing crowned Miss Teen California Latina 2012 this weekend has become one of the biggest accomplishments of my entire life,â Donadio said. âI cannot say that I was alone on this journey, as my family, friends and my community of Menifee have been right there by my side since the beginning. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been a huge support. My reign begins today as I represent the state of California to the best of my ability as a confident Latina ready to undertake anything that comes my way.â

Young women of Latin heritage between the ages of 13 and 27 from all areas of California participated in a series of competitions, including personal interview, evening gown, swimwear and fashion wear. On Saturday, the competition was narrowed down from 19 contestants to eight, and then on the Sunday, the final judged event narrowed it down to four.

They were asked an impromptu question about a current issue facing the community, which was âbullying.â All four contestants had to think on their feet.

Donadio's response was, âbeing personally bullied myself by my peers at a young age affected me, but I worked through it by turning it into a positive and talking to other teens.â

While she enjoyed this experience, she said she hopes to instill values that come from volunteering with her local organizations, such as the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Community Cupboard, the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club and Arts Council of Menifee.

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